A method of synthesizing a compound having the formula:

with a compound having the formula XRR1; wherein X is Br, Cl or I, M is an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal, R1 is a C0-C25 alkylene group, a C0-C25 fluroalkylene group or a C0-C25 perfluoro alkylene group, R2 is H, provided R1 is not absent, an alkyl group, a fluroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, an aryl group, a hydroxy group, a polyether group, a heterocyclic group of 5 or 6 atoms wherein at least one of the atoms is not a carbon and is N, O, or S, —OR3, wherein, R3 is an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, —C(O)R4, —C(O)OR4, —OC(O)R4, wherein R4 is an H, an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, a phthalimide group or NR5R5 wherein R5 and R5 are independently H, —C(O)R4, an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group or an aryl group.